Is coronary artery bypass surgery riskier in female?

Introduction: In this study we examined the early results of coronary artery bypass surgery in our female patients and compared them with those of our male patients. Material and Methods: One thousand and ninety four patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery between January 2009 and December 2011 in our clinic were included into this study. Three hundred and thirteen female patients (group 1) were compared to 781 male patients (group 2). Results: The mean age of group 1 was 61.4 ± 9.6, and the mean age of group 2 was 58.1 ± 9.6 (p < 0.001). The ratio of diabetes mellitus and hypertension in group 1 was higher than that of group 2 (p < 0.001). There were no significant difference between two groups when compared regarding the need for inotropics after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass, cross clamp and total cardiopulmonary bypass periods (p > 0.05). It was found that the amount of drainage was higher in group 1 than group 2 (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between two groups when compared in terms of mortality, reoperation (because of bleeding), postoperative atrial fibrillation, need for intraaortic balloon pump, usage of levosimendan, cerebrovascular accident, chronic renal failure, discharging intervals and period in intensive care unit. It was found that sternal wound infection was higher in group 1 than group 2 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: We consider that female gender does not put an additional risk to increase mortality and morbidity in coronary artery bypass surgery.